Modified ni-zn ferrites for radiofrequency applications

ABSTRACT

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to using cobalt (Co) to fine tune the magnetic properties, such as permeability and magnetic loss, of nickel-zinc ferrites to improve the material performance in electronic applications. The method comprises replacing nickel (Ni) with sufficient Co +2  such that the relaxation peak associated with the Co +2  substitution and the relaxation peak associated with the nickel to zinc (Ni/Zn) ratio are into near coincidence. When the relaxation peaks overlap, the material permeability can be substantially maximized and magnetic loss substantially minimized. The resulting materials are useful and provide superior performance particularly for devices operating at the 13.56 MHz ISM band.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet of the present applicationare hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate to compositions and materials usefulin electronic applications, and in particular, in radio frequency (RF)electronics.

Description of the Related Art

Various crystalline materials with magnetic properties have been used ascomponents in electronic devices such as cellular phones, biomedicaldevices, and RFID sensors. It is often desirable to modify thecomposition of these materials to improve their performancecharacteristics. For example, doping or ion substitution in a latticesite can be used to tune certain magnetic properties of the material toimprove device performance at radio frequency ranges. However, differentions introduce different changes in material property that often resultin performance trade-offs. Thus, there is a continuing need to fine tunethe composition of crystalline materials to optimize their magneticproperties, particularly for RF applications.

SUMMARY

The compositions, materials, methods of preparation, devices, andsystems of this disclosure each have several aspects, no single one ofwhich is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Withoutlimiting the scope of this invention, its more prominent features willnow be discussed briefly.

Any terms not directly defined herein shall be understood to have all ofthe meanings commonly associated with them as understood within the art.Certain terms are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, toprovide additional guidance to the practitioner in describing thecompositions, methods, systems, and the like of various embodiments, andhow to make or use them. It will be appreciated that the same thing maybe said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language andsynonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein.No significance is to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaboratedor discussed herein. Some synonyms or substitutable methods, materialsand the like are provided. Recital of one or a few synonyms orequivalents does not exclude use of other synonyms or equivalents,unless it is explicitly stated. Use of examples in the specification,including examples of terms, is for illustrative purposes only and doesnot limit the scope and meaning of the embodiments herein.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to using cobalt (Co) to fine tunethe magnetic properties, such as permeability and magnetic loss, ofnickel-zinc ferrites to improve the material performance in electronicapplications. In one embodiment, the method comprises replacing nickel(Ni) with sufficient Co⁺² such that the relaxation peak associated withthe Co⁺² substitution and the relaxation peak associated with the nickelto zinc (Ni/Zn) ratio are into near coincidence. Advantageously, whenthe relaxation peaks overlap, the material permeability can besubstantially maximized and magnetic loss substantially minimized. Theresulting materials are useful and provide superior performanceparticularly for devices operating at the 13.56 MHz ISM band. In oneembodiment, permeability in excess of 100 is achieved with a Q factor ofthe same order at 13.56 MHz. In another embodiment, the method comprisesdoping NiZn spinels with Co⁺² to produce a series of NiZn plus Comaterials with reducing Zn, which covers up to about 200 MHz withpermeability in excess of 10 and favorable Q factor. The method of usingCo to fine tune NiZn compositions are preferably achieved throughadvanced process control using high resolution X-ray fluorescence.

In a preferred embodiment, the material composition is represented bythe formula Ni_(1-x-y)Zn_(x)Co_(y)Fe₂O₄ which can be formed by dopingNi_((i-x))Zn_(x)Fe₂O₄ with Co⁺². In certain implementations, x=0.2 to0.6, and 0≤y<0.2. Embodiments of the material composition can have thespinel crystal structure and can be single phase. The materialcompositions can be used in a wide variety of applications including butnot limited to antennas with high material content such as those usefulfor cellular phones, biomedical devices, and RFID sensors.

In some embodiments, an antenna designed to operate at the 13.56 MHz ISMband comprising nickel zinc ferrite doped with Co⁺² is provided.Preferably, the relaxation peak associated with the Co⁺² substitutionand the relaxation peak associated with the Ni/Zn ratio are in nearcoincidence. In one implementation, the nickel zinc ferrite doped withCo⁺² can be represented by the formula Ni_(1-x-y)Zn_(x)Co_(y)Fe₂O₄,where x=0.2 to 0.6, and 0≤y<0.2. In some other embodiments, an RFIDsensor designed to operate at the 13.56 MHz ISM band comprising nickelzinc ferrite doped with Co⁺² is provided. Preferably, the relaxationpeak associated with the Co⁺² substitution and the relaxation peakassociated with the Ni/Zn ratio are in near coincidence. In oneimplementation, the nickel zinc ferrite doped with Co⁺² can berepresented by the formula Ni_(1-x-y)Zn_(x)Co_(y)Fe₂O₄, where x=0.2 to0.6, and 0≤y<0.2.

Some embodiments include methods of replacing at least some of thenickel (Ni) with sufficient Cobalt (Co²⁺) in nickel-zinc ferrites. Inone embodiment, the method comprises blending NiO, Fe₂O₃, CoO_(x),MnO_(x), ZnO, and CuO_(x) to form a mixture having a pre-determinedratio of Ni to Zn and a pre-determined Co concentration. The formula forthis series of materials is preferablyNi_(1-w-x-y-z)Zn_(w)Co_(x)Mn_(y)Cu_(z)Fe₂O₄. The method furthercomprises drying the material, followed by calcining, milling, and spraydrying the material. The method further comprises forming the part andthen sintering the part. The part can be an antenna such as those usefulfor cellular phones, biomedical devices, and RFID sensors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the variations in permeability (μ) of a nickel-zincsystem at various levels of Ni and Zn content;

FIG. 2 shows a listing of FIGS. 2A-2L which illustrates a series ofcobalt spectra showing the shift in frequency (x axis) of the first peak(lowest frequency) as well as complex permeability (y axis);

FIG. 3 illustrates that two relaxation peaks are observed in themagnetic permeability spectra of the material between 100 kHz and 1 GHz;

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of tuning the magnetic properties of a Ni—Znferrite system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a method of manufacturing a cobalt doped nickel-zincferrite composition according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 6 shows that in some embodiments, a wireless device can incorporatea material composition as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Disclosed herein are methods for fine tuning the magnetic properties ofnickel zinc ferrites to improve the material performance in variouselectronic applications. Also disclosed herein are modified nickel zincferrite materials that are particularly suitable for use in variouselectronic devices operating at the 13.56 MHz ISM band. The modifiednickel zinc ferrite material prepared according to embodiments describedin the disclosure exhibits favorable magnetic properties such asincreasing permeability and reducing magnetic loss.

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed toimproved materials for use in electronic devices. For example, thesematerials may be used to form an RF antenna for implantable medicaldevices, such as glucose sensors. These materials may also be used forother purposes, such as to form antennas for non-implantable devices, orother components of implantable or non-implantable devices.Advantageously, the materials have a combination of superior magneticpermeability and magnetic loss tangent at or about the 13.56 MHzindustrial, medical and scientific band. In various embodiments, thematerials are formed by fine tuning the permeability and magnetic lossof NiZn spinels with cobalt. As described in greater detail below, bybringing the relaxation peak associated with the Co²⁺ substitution andthat associated with the Ni/Zn ratio into near coincidence, thepermeability can be maximized and the magnetic loss minimized, such thatpermeability in excess of 100 can be achieved with Qs of the same orderat 13.56MHz. The same technique can be used to produce a series of NiZnplus Co materials with reducing Zn covering up to 200 MHz withpermeability in excess of 10 and good Q.

Ni—Zn Systems

Nickel-zinc ferrites can be represented by the general formulaNi_(x)Zn_(1-x)Fe₂O₄ and are useful in electromagnetic applications thatrequire high permeability. FIG. 1 illustrates the variations inpermeability (μ) of a nickel-zinc ferrite system at various levels of Niand Zn content. For example, the permeability decreases with decreasingzinc content at about 13.56 MHz. Variation of permeability suggests thatlow magnetic loss (high magnetic Q) material can be derived from theNi—Zn system with low or zero zinc content in applications where thepermeability is not so important. However, for certain RFID tags andsensors, the Ni—Zn system does not provide the optimum performancebecause either the permeability is too low for compositions withfavorable Q, or that the Q is too low for compositions with highpermeability.

The Effect of Cobalt Doping

FIG. 2 shows a listing of FIGS. 2A-2L which illustrates a series ofcobalt spectra showing the shift in frequency (x axis) of the first peak(lowest frequency) as well as complex permeability (y axis). The effectof cobalt on frequency begins to stall out at about 0.025 cobalt becausethe magnetocrystalline anisotropy eventually passes through a minimum,just as the complex permeability flattens out, then falls again. Asshown in FIGS. 2A-2L, the cobalt driven first peak eventually mergeswith the second peak as the Co⁺² concentration increases.

FIG. 3 shows that two relaxation peaks are observed in the magneticpermeability spectra of the material between 100 kHz and 1GHz. Withoutbeing bound to a particular theory, it is believed that the lowerfrequency peak corresponds to magnetic domain wall rotation and thehigher frequency peak corresponds to magnetic domain wall bulging. It isalso believed that the cobalt oxide may push the lower frequencyrelaxation peak associated with the magnetic loss to higher frequencyvalues by reducing the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the spinelmaterial. These higher frequency values are, in some embodiments, higherthan 13.56 MHz, which is a frequency often used in RFID tags and RFmedical sensor applications. It is also believed that manganese mayserve to prevent the iron from reducing from Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ state andtherefore improves the dielectric loss of the material across thespectrum, and copper may serve as a sintering aid allowing the firingtemperatures to be reduced, thus preventing Zn volatilization from thesurface of a part formed from the material. Both the relaxation peaksreferred to above may be adjusted to provide high permeability low-lossmaterials throughout a range of between about 1 MHz and about 200 MHz.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the secondpeak is determined by the Ni/Zn ratio and is therefore static for afixed ratio. The Co²⁺ is lost as a distinguishing peak in the spectrumat higher Co²⁺ concentration. It is also believed that the first peakmay be dominated by domain movement, and the second peak may bedominated by rotation and that the peaks can be merged at some Co²⁺doping levels for a given Ni/Zn ratio, and that only the domain movementpeak is strongly susceptible to Co²⁺.

Based on the inventors' theory that domain rotation is driven by theNi/Zn ratio and is responsible for a characteristic peak frequency, andthat wall movement (bulging via magnetorestriction) is driven by theCo²⁺ concentration which creates a second, independent characteristicpeak, a combination of Co²⁺ and Ni/Zn can be selected to merge at agiven frequency such that the slope of the absorption curve is a givenfrequency distance way to minimize magnetic losses. The optimum peakposition can be selected depending on the desired permeability and loss.For some applications, the optimum peak position is about 100 MHz togive low losses but high permeability at 13.56 MHz.

Modified Ni—Zn Systems

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a modifiednickel-zinc ferrite material. The base nickel-zinc ferrite materialpreferably has a composition that is represented by the formulaNi_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)Fe₂O₄. The material has an iron deficiency of between0.02 and 0.10 formula units, a cobalt content of between 0 and 0.05formula units (substituting for Ni), and manganese (substituting for Fe)and copper (substituting for Ni) contents of between 0 and 0.03 formulaunits. Embodiments of the material can have a spinel crystal structureand can be single phase.

In some implementations, the modified Ni—Zn ferrite material can have acomposition represented by the formulaNi_(1-w-x-y-z)Zn_(w)Co_(x)Mn_(y)Cu_(z)Fe₂O₄ where w ranges from 0.2 to0.6, and x, y, and z each range from 0 to 0.2, and a ranges from 0 to0.2. In a preferred implementation, w=0.4725, x=0.0225, y=0.02, z=0, anda=0.08, which can result in a material that displays particularlydesirable magnetic properties at 13.56 MHz. In another preferredimplementation, w=0.4, x=0.0275, y=0.01, z=0, and a=0.08, which canresult in a material that displays particularly desirable magneticproperties at 27 MHz.

Table 1 below illustrates the effects of embodiments of Co substitutionin a fully dense 5000 Gauss Ni_(1-x-y)Zn_(x)Co_(y)Fe₂O₄ Spinel onSpectra.

2^(nd) Initial Cobalt 1^(st) Frequency Frequency 3^(rd) FrequencyPermeability Substitution (y) (MHz) (MHz) (MHz) at 1 MHz 0.00 16 mergedmerged 170 0.005 40 merged merged 92 0.01 50 70 150 68 0.0125 60 80 20062 0.015 60 80 250 50 0.0175 60 85 250 55 0.02 70 100 250 45 0.0225 70110 230 51 0.025 80 110 230 52 0.0275 100 120 230 54 0.03 100 130 230 50

Methods of Manufacturing Modified Ni—Zn Material

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of tuning the magnetic properties of a Ni—Znferrite system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.The method begins with identifying a desired operational frequency inStep 100, followed by adjusting the nickel to zinc ratio in Step 110.Preferably, the Ni/Zn ratio is adjusted to provide a relaxationabsorption peak at a desired frequency above a desired low magnetic lossfrequency. The method further comprises adjusting the cobalt content inStep 120. Preferably, the cobalt content is adjusted to a level wherethe cobalt dominated relaxation peak merges into the low frequency endof the Ni/Zn ratio peak. The method can be followed by forming a partwith the identified Ni/Zn ratio and Co concentration in Step 130. Insome applications, it would be desirable to use excess cobalt becauseexcess cobalt would likely reduce the magnetic permeability withoutincreasing the magnetic loss. A desirable amount of cobalt can bedetermined by identifying an amount of cobalt that produces a relaxationabsorption peak at a frequency that cannot be resolved from the Ni/Znratio peak by eye in an impedance analysis trace on the low frequencyside. For example, if one were interested in an RF application at 27MHz, a material could be synthesized with the compositionNi_(0.5725)Co_(0.0275)Zn_(0.4)Fe₂O₄, which has a permeability of 54 anda magnetic Q greater than 100, wherein the magnetic Q is the ratio ofthe real permeability to the imaginary permeability at a specifiedfrequency.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method of manufacturing a cobalt doped nickel-zincferrite composition according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The method begins with Step 200 in which the raw oxidesnickel oxide (NiO), iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), zinc oxide (ZnO), copper oxide(CuO, CuO₂, Cu₂O, and/or Cu₂O₃), cobalt oxide (CoO, Co₂O₃, and/orCo₃O₄), and manganese oxide (MnO, Mn₂O₃, Mn₂O₇, Mn₃O₄, MnO₂, and/orMnO₃), are blended by a shear mixing method such as a Cowles mixer or byvibratory mill blending. Step 210 indicates drying the material. Themethod further includes Step 220 in which the material is calcined at atemperature in the range of 900° C.-1,200° C. to react the components ofthe material and form the spinel phase, followed by Step 230 in whichthe material is milled to a particle size between 1 to 10 microns, andspray dried with added binder in Step 240. In some implementations, themethod further comprises Step 250 in which the material is formed into apart by isostatic or hard die pressing and Step 260 in which the part issintered to a temperature in the range of 1,100° C.-1400° C. in air orin oxygen.

Device and System Incorporating Modified Ni—Zn Material

The material compositions made in accordance with embodiments describedherein can be used in a wide variety of applications including but notlimited to antennas with high material content such as those useful forcellular phones, biomedical devices, and RFID sensors. FIG. 6 shows thatin some embodiments, a wireless device 600 can incorporate a materialcomposition as described herein. Such a device 600 can include a module602, a battery 604, an interface 606, and an antenna 608. The antenna608 can be configured to facilitate transmission and reception of RFsignals, preferably in the 13.56 MHz range. The antenna 608 comprises acobalt doped nickel zinc ferrite configured in such a manner that thecobalt content is adjusted to a level where the cobalt dominatedrelaxation peak merges into the low frequency end of the Ni/Zn ratiopeak. In one implementation, at least a portion of the antenna 608 has acomposition that can be represented by the formulaNi_(1-x-y)Zn_(x)Co_(y)Fe₂O₄, where x=0.2 to 0.6, and 0≤y<0.2. In anotherimplementation, at least a portion of the antenna 608 has a compositionthat can be represented by the formulaNi_(1-w-x-y-z)Zn_(w)Co_(x)Mn_(y)Cu_(z)Fe_(2-a)O_(4-x) where 0.2≤w≤0.6;0≤x≤0.2; 0≤y≤0.2; 0≤z≤0.2; and 0≤a≤0.2.

While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, theseembodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novelcompositions, methods and systems described herein may be embodied in avariety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutionsand changes in the form of the compositions, methods and systemsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of thedisclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the disclosure.

1. (canceled)
 2. A fine-tuned nickel-zinc ferrite material comprising: abase nickel-zinc ferrite material doped with cobalt (CO²⁺) to adjust anickel to zinc ratio of the base nickel-zinc ferrite material therebyproviding a Ni/Zn relaxation absorption peak at a desired frequencyabove a desired low magnetic loss frequency, the cobalt being doped intothe base nickel-zinc ferrite material to a level where a cobaltdominated relaxation peak merges into a low frequency end of the Ni/Znrelaxation absorption peak, the fine-tuned nickel-zinc ferrite materialbeing represented by the formula Ni_(1-x-y)Zn_(x)Co_(y)Fe₂O₄, x beingbetween 0.2 and 0.6, and y being between 0 and 0.2
 3. The fine-tunednickel-zinc ferrite material of claim 2 wherein the fine-tunednickel-zinc ferrite material has a compositionNi_(0.5725)Co_(0.0275)Zn_(0.4)Fe₂O₄.
 4. The fine-tuned nickel-zincferrite material of claim 2 wherein the base nickel-zinc ferritematerial has a composition Ni_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)Fe₂O₄.
 5. The fine-tunednickel-zinc ferrite material of claim 2 wherein the fine-tunednickel-zinc ferrite material has a permeability in excess of
 100. 6. Thefine-tuned nickel-zinc ferrite material of claim 2 wherein the desiredfrequency is about 100 MHz.
 7. A radiofrequency component comprising: abase nickel-zinc ferrite material doped with cobalt (CO²⁺) to adjust anickel to zinc ratio of the base nickel-zinc ferrite material therebyproviding a Ni/Zn relaxation absorption peak at a desired frequencyabove a desired low magnetic loss frequency, the cobalt being doped intothe base nickel-zinc ferrite material to a level where a cobaltdominated relaxation peak merges into a low frequency end of the Ni/Znrelaxation absorption peak, the fine-tuned nickel-zinc ferrite materialbeing represented by the formula Ni_(1-x-y)Zn_(x)Co_(y)Fe₂O₄, x beingbetween 0.2 and 0.6, and y being between 0 and 0.2
 8. The radiofrequencycomponent of claim 7 wherein the fine-tuned nickel-zinc ferrite materialhas a composition Ni_(0.5725)Co_(0.0275)Zn_(0.4)Fe₂O₄.
 9. Theradiofrequency component of claim 7 wherein the base nickel-zinc ferritematerial has a composition Ni_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)Fe₂O₄.
 10. The radiofrequencycomponent of claim 7 wherein the fine-tuned nickel-zinc ferrite materialhas a permeability in excess of
 100. 11. The radiofrequency component ofclaim 7 wherein the desired frequency is about 100 MHz.
 12. Theradiofrequency component of claim 7 wherein the component is included inan antenna.
 13. The radiofrequency component of claim 12 wherein theantenna is configured to facilitate transmission and reception ofradiofrequency signals in the 13.56 MHz range.
 14. The radiofrequencycomponent of claim 7 wherein the component is included in a battery. 15.The radiofrequency component of claim 7 wherein the component isincluded in a glucose sensor.
 16. A method of fine tuning nickel-zincferrite material into a fine-tuned nickel-zinc ferrite material, saidmethod comprising: adjusting a nickel to zinc ratio of a basenickel-ferrite material to provide a Ni/Zn relaxation absorption peak ata desired frequency above a desired low magnetic loss frequency; anddoping the material with cobalt (CO²⁺) to a level where a cobaltdominated relaxation peak merges into a low frequency end of the Ni/Znrelaxation absorption peak, the material being represented by theformula Ni_(1-x-y)Zn_(x)Co_(y)Fe₂O₄, x being between 0.2 and 0.6, and ybeing between 0 and 0.2.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein thefine-tuned nickel-zinc ferrite material has a compositionNi_(0.5725)Co_(0.0275)Zn_(0.4)Fe₂O₄.
 18. The method of claim 16 whereinthe base nickel-zinc ferrite material has a compositionNi_(0.5)Zn_(0.5)Fe₂O₄.
 19. The method of claim 16 wherein the fine-tunednickel-zinc ferrite material has a permeability in excess of
 100. 20.The method of claim 16 wherein the desired frequency is about 100 MHz.21. The method of claim 16 further comprising calcining the fine-tunednickel-zinc ferrite material at a temperature range of 1100° C.-1400° C.